The two northern cross-border rivals square off in an important match for both teams on Saturday, with the winner getting useful points and a good start in the 2007 Air New Zealand Cup.
VENUE & TIME: Okara Park, Whangarei, Saturday July 28, 14.35 NZT.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 28 – Northland 8, North Harbour 20.
LAST TIME: July 22, 2006 (Albany) – North Harbour13-23 Northland.
WALKING WOUNDED: Both sides seem to be reporting with reasonably clear injury lists.
FORM: Northland won one of three pre-season matches, against Manawatu, but lost to Tasman and Counties Manukau. North Harbour defended the Ranfurly Shield in two blowouts against Thames Valley and Horowhenua Kapiti, only to lose heavily to Canterbury last week.
WHO'S HOT: North Harbour played some fine attacking rugby in the Shield matches but it was hard to get a handle on just how good they were. Some of the passing, handling and backing-up was in the top class, but the defences were non-existent. Nick Williams showed out and new flanker Chris Smith looked the goods, while Anthony Boric worked hard, as usual. The Pisi brothers all ran free in the backs and Jack McPhee had a high-scoring outing in the second match, bagging 27 points. Goal-kicking was a worry, as the team collectively ran at about 50 percent. Northland will rely on stalwarts David Holwell, Justin Collins and Hayden Taylor, again, as well as a number of relatively experienced provincial players to lift the team. Jake Paringatai is one of the hardest-working forwards in the Air New Zealand Cup and his efforts will again be crucial to Northland's success.
WE THINK: North Harbour should win this match comfortably but the margin may well depend on the kickers. David Holwell will kick his goals, he always does, so Harbour can make life easier for itself by landing its chances. Even so, we think North Harbour should win comfortably and pay out on the 13+ option at the TAB.
TEAMS:
Northland: 1 – Tony Coughlan, 2 – Tim Dow, 3 – Bronson Murray, 4 – Dan Goodwin, 5 – Brad Taylor, 6 – Justin Collins (captain), 7 – Joel McKenty, 8 – Jake Paringatai, 9 – Corey Tamou, 10 – David Holwell, 11 – Rene Ranger, 12 – Daniel Bowden, 13 – Leon Taliu, 14 – Fetu'u Vainikolo, 15 – Hayden Taylor.
Reserves: 16 – Jamie McQueen, 17 – Tevita Mailau, 18 – John Cocker, 19 – Junior Gndolo, 20 – Rhyan Caine, 21 – Josh Levi, 22 – Fetu'u Vainikolo, 23 - Glen Martin.
North Harbour:
1 – James Afoa, 2 – Tom McCartney, 3 – Ben Afeaki, 4 – Ryan Wilson, 5 – Greg Rawlinson, 6 – Anthony Boric, 7 – Rob Colhoun, 8 – Nick Williams (captain), 9 – Junior Poluleuligaga, 10 – Tusi Pisi, 11 – Jack McPhee, 12 – Rudi Wulf, 13 – Anthony Tuitavake, 14 – Viliame Waqaseduadua, 15 – George Pisi.
Reserves: 16 – James Hinchco, 17 – Chris White, 18 – Chris Smith, 19 – Tom Chamberlain, 20 – Daniel Deveraux, 21 – Michael Harris, 22 – Zar Lawrence
REFEREE: Kelvin Deaker